Penkse first helped to develop J-Dampers or Cambridge inerters with McLaren F1 in 2003-2004 and has since licensed the technology from Cambridge to bring it to other forms of racing.

In recent years Penske has become the preferred shock for the majority of the Indy Car paddock. The new damper has been designed specifically with the new 2012 Indy Car in-mind. All of the technologies incorporated in this new damper have been recently raced in F1 according to its makers. It utilises the current 45mm bore size, so current Penske 45mm pistons and builds will carry over. The design will allow conversion from a mono-tube (8780-M), to thru rod (8780-T), to hybrid inerter (8780-H), without a complete new shock needed for each because the core components of the shock are interchangeable.

The damper can also be outfitted with Penskes 3000 Series Active System which expedites rig and track development. The 3000 system allows teams to electronically develop curves, save them to a data base, and easily upload them with the push of a few keys.